GA shipments down but billings steady – GAMA
General aviation aircraft shipments were down in 2011 but billing figures rose marginally as the market appeared poised for a turnaround, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association said. In its annual report, GAMA said 1865 aircraft were shipping worldwide in 2011, down from 1932 in 2010, with shipments slumping across the piston plane, turboprop and business
Boeing completes multi-year II Hornet deliveries
Boeing today announced that it has completed delivery of 257 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighters and EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft to the US Navy under its second multi-year contract. The aircraft were delivered to the Navy from 2007 through 2011 under a multi-year procurement (MYP) contract awarded in 2003. The Navy purchased the aircraft
Virgin Australia profits double
Virgin Australia says rising profits are proof that its transition to a full service airline is paying dividends. According to figures released today, Virgin’s net profits over the first half of the financial year rose 118 per cent to $51.8 million. Underlying pre-tax profits were up 34 per cent over the previous year to $96.1
Bankstown and Camden up for sale
Sydney’s Bankstown and Camden airports will be put up for sale as current leaseholder BAC Holdco steps out of the general aviation market. The two airports were privatised in 2003 and are held under a long term lease from the Commonwealth government with 85 years remaining. BAC, which represents a number of institutional investors, purchased
Jetstar pitches plastic
Jetstar hopes plastic can buoy its bottom line as it rolls out a pair of announcements aimed at the card carrying public. In what the budget carrier bills as a first for an Australian airline, Jetstar will offer a prepaid multicurrency Mastercard-branded travel card, which Jetstar says will offer frequent overseas travellers a more secure,
F-35 clears test hurdle with weapons flight
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has flown its first test mission fitted with external weapons. The load for the test flight from at Edwards Air Force Base in California included a pair of air-to-air AIM-9X missiles mounted on outboard wing stations of an F-35A, in addition to two 2000lb guided bombs and two medium range
